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Twitter: @coachncole
Now in his 10th year on the Toledo coaching staff and seventh as the running backs coach, Nate Cole has made his mark in developing Rocket running backs. Cole, a former Rocket offensive lineman and graduate assistant, has mentored running backs who have made the Rocket running attack one of the best in the Mid-American Conference.
In 2023, the Toledo running attack was led by MAC Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-MAC selection Peny Boone. Boone led the league in rushing yards (1,400), rushing average (107.7), yards per carry (7.2) and rushing touchdowns (15). He also ranked third in the FBS in yards per carry, eighth in rushing yards and 11th in rushing yards per game and rushing TDs. Jacquez Stuart added 574 yards, averaging 47.8 per game, 5.2 yards per carry and six rushing scores. The 2023 Rockets led the Mid-American Conference with 2,781 rushing yards (198.6/game), 5.3 yards per carry and 31 touchdowns.
In 2022, Cole led a running back room that accounted for 1,611 yards rushing and featured Stuart, Boone, and Micah Kelly. Stuart led the MAC Champion Rockets with 770 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 5.7 yards per carry. Boone added 443 yards and three touchdowns, and Kelly rushed for 398 yards and one TD. As a team, Toledo ranked third in the MAC in rushing offense, averaging 177.6 yards per contest.
Under Cole’s tutelage, Bryant Koback developed into one of the best running backs in the Mid-American Conference from 2019-21. Koback, who was on the Doak Walker Award watch list in 2020 and 2021, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022. He ran for 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior in 2021, earning First-Team All-MAC honors. In 2019, he ran for 1,187 yards and averaged 6.1 yards per carry en route to a Second-Team All-MAC distinction. Koback finished his career ranked fourth in Toledo history with 4,026 rushing yards.
Toledo led the MAC in yards per carry (5.43) as a team in 2021. In 2019, Toledo ranked second in the MAC in rushing, averaging 224.5 yards per game.
Cole has also made a big impact on the recruiting trail for the Rockets. He has played a major role in Toledo securing the No. 1 recruiting class in the MAC seven times during his time on the staff, and ranked as the No. 3 recruiter in the Mid-American Conference for the 2021 recruiting class.
Beofre Cole served as the director of player development for the 2018 season, organizing over 2,500 hours of community service for the team. He started the “Your Future Friday” program which focused on leadership, and provided players an opportunity to attend CEO-level meetings at Fortune 500 companies. Cole also served as the director of player personnel from 2016-17 and served as NFL liaison from 2016-19.
A native of Dayton, Ohio, Cole was a four-time letterwinner and a three-year starter for the Rockets from 2007-10. After his playing days were over, Cole stayed at Toledo, serving as a graduate assistant from 2011-13. He joined the staff at Oberlin as an offensive line coach/special teams coordinator in 2014 before being named the offensive coordinator at the conclusion of the season. Cole then accepted the position of offensive line coach/running-game coordinator at Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio for the 2015 season.
Cole earned his bachelor’s degree in 2011 and his master’s degree in 2013, both from the University of Toledo. He and his wife Maria were married in July of 2019.
Nate Cole’s Coaching Experience
2019-25 Toledo – Running Backs
2018 Toledo – Director of Player Development
2016-17 Toledo – Director of Player Personnel
2015 Notre Dame (Ohio) College – Offensive Line Coach/Running Game Coordinator
2014 Oberlin – Offensive Line Coach/Special Teams Coordinator
2011-13 Toledo – Graduate Assistant
